Restoration of Hair Growth with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone in Mouse and Rat Models of Alopecia Areata

November 2003 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Lisa Tang, Harvey Lui, John P. Sundberg, Robert Bissonnette, David I. McLean, Jerry Shapiro

diphencyprone alopecia areata contact sensitizer CD8+ lymphocytes hair follicles histologic analysis skin biopsy DPCP AA

TLDR Topical diphencyprone helped regrow hair in mice and rats with a condition similar to human hair loss.

In a study from December 2003, researchers investigated the effectiveness of diphencyprone (DPCP), a contact sensitizer, as a treatment for alopecia areata (AA) using mouse and rat models. The animals were treated with topical DPCP on one side of their body, while the other side received only a vehicle treatment. The majority of both mice and rats showed hair regrowth on the DPCP-treated side. Additionally, histologic analysis of skin biopsy specimens indicated a reduction in CD8+ lymphocyte infiltrates within hair follicles after successful treatment in mice. These findings suggest that the rodent models of AA can be valuable for understanding the human condition and the mechanisms of DPCP treatment.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

132 citations, November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

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Mice are useful for researching human hair loss and testing treatments, despite some differences between species.

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Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone and 5% Minoxidil: A Clinical and Immunopathologic Evaluation

research Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata with Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone and 5% Minoxidil: A Clinical and Immunopathologic Evaluation

41 citations, November 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

DPCP helps treat severe hair loss, but 5% minoxidil doesn't add benefits.

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